What is Pyongyang’s goal

As the UN Security Council condemns the North Korean act of aggression, several countries including South Korea, United States have condemned this dastardly action. North Korea on several occasions had committed to abandon its nuclear programme. But despite the commitment North Korea has continued to keep the international community on tender hooks.

There seems to be clear cut violation of North Korea’s commitment to abandon its Nuclear programme. The recent launch of missile which North Korea claims as peace observation satellite has sparked several questions as to how much has Pyongyang developed its ballistic missile programme. So far each of its test Unha, Taepodong and Nodong Ballistic missiles seems to hasten the development of Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) and the test on Sunday resulted in Kwangmyongsong 4 satellite entering the polar orbit. The Sunday’s testing further intensifies the rate of missile testing. Has this test boosted North Korea’s nuclear capability.

North Korea after its test in early January this year and had made claims to test in the future. The international community had clamped North Korea’s test as a dastardly act and breach of its commitment to abandon its nuclear weapon testing. What is the reaction of United States and China. China has advocated dialogue with North Korea as an act would further provocative and add tension to the stability of the region. China is very clear that the region has to be denuclearised and nuclear proliferation to be stalled to bring order and peace in North East Asia.

Despite severe condemnation and calling the act as breach of security, North Korea is clear in its mission and intends to continue rocket carrying satellite to space. Committed to its vision and mission North Korea is bent on launching more man made satellite into the space. US claims that this is an tacit approach to develop North Korea’s capability to attack United States. A reality check is often required, North Korea continues unswervingly in building its capability targeting the United states.

Series of testings have been carried by the North Korean Government over a period of time. North Korea claims this as a peaceful purpose but with the clandestine approach there seems to be a major ambiguity in what it is claiming. Is this just the right to develop a peaceful program or boosting its power capability and equation is something that has to be carefully watched. North Korea’s move remains very speculative and unsure, what would Kim Jung-un do, remains a big question and challenge.

Priya Suresh is a Research Scholar at the Takshashila Institute. She tweets @priyamanassa.

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